Is Gas Fracking Better?

An emerging technology developed in Canada does away with the need for the water used in hydraulic fracturing.  It uses liquefied propane gas (LPG), a thick gel made from the same propane used by anyone who has fired up a backyard grill.  The technique has been used many times in Canada and in a small number of test wells in the U.S.  The propane gel is pumped into the shale formations like the water in traditional fracking.  The pressure created cracks rocks and frees trapped natural gas bubbles.  Both the water and the gel contain small sand particles that hold the cracks open so the gas can escape.  Unlike the water, however, the gel reverts to a vapor due to the heat and pressure and returns to the surface with the gas.  And it does not carry the chemicals and other undesirables back to the surface as water does.  There is some debate over cost – gel fracking costs more initially, but savings are achieved when considering the cost of transport and disposal of waste water. And there is no doubt traffic concerns would be eased with fewer water trucks crowding the roadways.  Read more at:  http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20111104/gasfrac-propane-natural-gas-drilling-hydraulic-fracturing-fracking-drinking-water-marcellus-shale-new-york